Three Khalistan Zindabad Force members killed in encounter in Pilibhit Uttar Pradesh
Three suspected Khalistani terrorists, allegedly involved in a grenade attack in Gurdaspur, were killed in an encounter with police in Pilibhit early Monday. Punjab’s Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, called it a significant breakthrough against a Pakistan-backed terror module.
The gunfight between the Khalistan Zindabad Force members and a joint team of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab Police occurred in Pilibhit’s Puranpur area.
DGP Yadav identified the deceased as Varinder Singh alias Ravi (23), Gurvinder Singh (25), and Jashanpreet Singh alias Partap Singh (18). All three were residents of Kalanaur and were accused of attacking Bakshiwala Police Station in Gurdaspur, Punjab. While the recent Bakshiwala attack caused no injuries, the suspects were also linked to a grenade attack on a police checkpoint in Gurdaspur.
Amitabh Yash, Additional Director General (Law and Order) of Uttar Pradesh Police, stated the trio sustained critical injuries during the encounter and was taken to CHC Puranpur for treatment, where they succumbed to their wounds. Authorities recovered two AK-47 rifles, two Glock pistols, and a large cache of ammunition from the scene.
In a post on X, DGP Yadav said, “In a significant operation against a Pakistan-sponsored Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terror module, a joint effort by UP and Punjab Police resulted in an encounter with three module members who opened fire on the police.” He added that the module was behind grenade attacks targeting police establishments in Punjab’s border areas.
Yadav later revealed that the module was operated by Jaswinder Singh Mannu, based in Greece, under the command of KZF chief Ranjeet Singh Nita. Mannu was connected to Jagjeet Singh, a UK-based British Army officer who used the alias Fateh Singh Baggi.
Investigations are ongoing to uncover further connections and members of the terror module, with additional arrests and recoveries expected. Yadav thanked the Uttar Pradesh Police for their support in the inter-state operation.
“This is a textbook example of inter-state collaboration, where UP and Punjab Police worked together seamlessly,” Yadav stated in a video message.
Before the Bakshiwala attack, a blast occurred earlier this month at Islamabad Police Station in Punjab’s Amritsar, though no injuries were reported. This incident followed a grenade attack on a police post in Nawanshahr two weeks earlier.
